Listening to Chrysler's long and rambling 2010-2014 Business Plan, it was clear that the company and its dealerships are very much looking forward to finally getting the Fiat 500 in North America. Much like what happened when BMW launched the Mini brand eight-odd years ago, it's hoped that the cute little 500 will attract a whole new customer to the Chrysler fold.

In order to properly court those new wallets buyers, Chrysler plans to open "specific interior showroom branded salons" in select dealerships, mostly in metropolitan areas. A dedicated set of salespeople will be assigned to sell the Fiat 500 in the States... ya know, since they otherwise wouldn't know how to sell the important car to American consumers.

There will also be a full line of accessories made available to customize the new car, which we would expect will include unique color and stripe packages both inside and out along with a slew of optional wheel designs. Whatever, make ours an Abarth and we're good. Expect all of this to take place before the end of 2010 as the Fiat 500 finally starts to show up in those selected dealerships.

It comes as little surprise that Jeep is looking beyond its current Patriot and Compass models, which have, to put it mildly, underperformed in the burgeoning compact CUV market. While the two concepts had lots of potential, the actual production ComPatriot twins were deemed uncompetitive with class leaders right when they were launched.

As such, the two models are both destined to meet their makers after the 2012 model, to be replaced by a single model sourced from Fiat. Can you say Panda (the image above is just a possible rendering, not a production car)? It's also worth noting that the iconic Wranger will get mild makeovers for both the 2010 and 2011 model years along with what seems likely to be a special 70th Anniversary Wranger for 2011.

Across the line, all Jeeps will reportedly come with an optional Trail Rated package, which means no more on-road only models like the Compass are likely to dilute the Jeep brand. That edict includes the new Grand Cherokee, and Jeep says the Trail Rated Grand Cherokee has already successfully tackled the legendary Rubicon Trail and Moab.

In addition to the passing note about considering a unibody replacement for the slow-selling Dodge Dakota, Ram CEO Fred Diaz said (with conviction...!) that they are strongly considering entering the heavy-duty 18-wheeler market with the Ram brand.

Interesting, no? The consumer-grade pickup that popularized the big rig styling on a smaller scale might make the jump up the ranks and into the heavy-hauler market. In the past, Dodge has teamed up with both Sterling and Freightliner – both of which are big players in the large truck marketplace – and the Ram brand is sure to keep up its current partnership with heavy truck engine maker Cummins. In other words, it might not be as big a leap as you may at first think to see a Ram-badged 18-wheeler rolling down a highway near you within the next few years.

When we first stumbled upon this video from the fertile minds at DC Shoes – think Travis Pastrana and Ken Block – we asked ourselves the only logical question we could muster: What the heck is a Shoe Bike? Turns out that it's exactly what you'd expect – that is, if you'd ever expect such a thing to exist at all, but we digress. Travis Pastrana's Shoe Bike is a motocross machine that's had its wheels replaced with rolling hoops made from DC Shoes.

As you might expect, Pastrana has some crazy things in mind for the Shoe Bike... not the least of which are plenty of insane jumps many riders would never attempt even with standard rolling stock, sustained wheelies and burnouts. Right, with shoes instead of tires. Backflips? Sure, why not. This is Travis Pastrana after all. See for yourself in the video pasted after the break.

[Source: YouTube]

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Beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. While some cars seem to be almost universally loved for their gorgeous lines and undeniable sense of style – the Lamborghini Miura and Shelby Daytona Coupe certainly come to mind. Others, such as the new Honda Accord Crosstour and even the latest Nissan GT-R, not to mention nearly everything currently wearing the Acura badge, sport more debatable duds.

And what of the car that's most commonly associated with the green movement? Of course, that would be the Toyota Prius, and we know that some happen to find the car rather attractive... whether that's for its slip-through-the-wind styling or fuel mileage – made possible in part by that styling – its owners happily enjoy. According to BusinessWeek, though, the second-gen Prius is one of the 50 Ugliest Cars of the Past 50 Years. Not a distinction any owner wants their car to carry.

Take heart, Prius owners. There are a number of questionable vehicles on the list. For instance, the classically boxy Volvo 240 isn't ugly at all... it's purposeful and practical. Neither are the Lamborghini LM002, 2002 BMW 7 Series, Tata Nano or Toyota iQ deserving of inclusion on this unflattering list. Lastly, does anyone really think the DeLorean is that unattractive? Unabashedly '80s sure, but ugly? Nah.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

According to the Japanese Mainichi newspaper, Toyota is poised to withdraw from Formula One competition and will not take part in the 2010 season. Though no source is given for the news, so far Toyota is neither confirming nor denying the report.

Toyota has never had the kind of success in F1 racing that it had expected – despite dropping ridiculous sums of money (some estimate well over $400 million per year) into the sport, Toyota has managed zero race victories in seven years and 139 races worth of competition.

At this point, we'll just have to wait for an official announcement, which is currently scheduled for November 8th, but if Toyota does indeed leave before the 2010 season we know that there are a few more teams interested in taking the slot. We also know of some pretty good drivers that may be looking for a new option. Stay tuned. Thanks for the tip, Carl!

[Source: Mainichi]

Though automakers too numerous to list operate plants and build cars in Mexico, the country South of the Border doesn't really have a homegrown auto industry to speak of. One model doesn't exactly constitute as an "industry," but the Cimex Conin concept certainly seems like a step in the right direction.

While Autoblog's own staffers seem divided on the merits of the classic Lamborghini LM002 (don't believe the rest of 'em, Lambo's off-road supercar will forever be epically cool), the Italian SUV has aged into a truly iconic design. Since the Conin looks like a dead-ringer for the LM002, we'd argue that the its boxy SUT shape would look perfect storming the deserts in Baja... or, ya know, picking up the groceries at the local Food City.

Details on what actually underpins or powers the Conin are scarce, but we surmise it will be rear- or four-wheel drive and sport a range of fuel efficient gasoline and diesel engines. We'll take one to park next to the 'ol Subaru Brat in our own fantasy garage.



[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Those constant rumors that Volkswagen may acquire a 10-percent stake in Suzuki all have one thing in common: they all emanate from the Volkswagen side of the coin. Naturally, no such deal can be completely one-sided, and whenever given the opportunity Suzuki has consistently denied that there's any truth to the speculation.

Osamu Suzuki, chief executive at the Japanese automaker that bears his name, has once again conclusively stated that there is no impending tie-up between the two automakers:

There's a saying that there's no smoke where there's no fire, but you're all creating smoke where there's no fire in this case. There's been nothing on this (Volkswagen ties) from our side.

All smoke and no fire? We'll know soon enough – rumor has it that the deal, if it exists at all, will take place before the end of the year.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Shortly after showing off its new 2010 Brutale naked streetfighter, iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta will unveil its range-topping F4 sportbike at the EICMA motorcycle show. MV let loose one teaser image early last month, but details are just now starting to leak out about the 998cc inline-four screamer.

According to OmniMoto in Italy, MV Agusta has massaged its well-known powerplant with twin fuel injectors per cylinder and variable throttle bodies to put out 186 horsepower (still short of the class-leading 193-horsepower BMW S 1000 RR) at 12,900 RPM. Also on the menu are a slipper clutch and eight-way adjustable traction control.

We don't expect major chages to the bike's already attractive overall design, but a new bi-xenon take on the vertical headlight will join a longer and lighter single-sided swingarm to update things a bit. In any case, we'll get all the details soon enough when the F4 makes its official debut next week in Milan.

[Source: OmniMoto via Asphalt and Rubber]

It's long been suspected that Ferrari was hard at work developing a hybrid powertrain for its line of supercars and grand touring machines, especially since a series of patents were unearthed proving that the Italian automaker had at least sketched plans for such a system. Still, Ferrari had never confirmed such rumors.

That is until now, at least according to Autocar. An unnamed source tells the British magazine that the hybrid drivetrain will debut on the next-gen 612 (could the recently-spotted long-wheelbase 612 be a hybrid mule?) with a pair of torque-laden electric motors that will be connected to the front wheels. Ferrari's traditional V12 or possibly a turbocharged V8 engine would send power to the GT car's rear wheels.

As befitting an automobile wearing the coveted Prancing Horse badge, Ferrari is said to be using the system to benefit handling and not to improve fuel efficiency. Whatever the case, we'll surely know more by 2014 or so when Ferrari is actually expected to have the hybrid ready for production.



[Source: Autocar]